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Helen Fowler
Say hello to our resident Edinburgh expert! Helen is here to keep you posted on the latest goings on in Edinburgh. This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it to talk about the blog.
| Finding tropical warmth in Edinburgh winter |
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If, like most of us, you can't afford a holiday somewhere warm this year, then you might enjoy heading along to Edinburgh's Butterfly and Insect World, where the tropical glasshouses climate means a visit there is like stepping into a Caribbean island. Except without the same expense. Butterfly World offers the chance to wander through lush tropical foliage, with all manner of butterflies fluttering around freely. There's a large pond, in which exotic fish float, where children make a wish then throw in their loose change. Without, one hopes, harming any of the fish. For the brave-hearted (which does not, alas, include me) there are daily handling sessions (included in the £5.95 adult/£3.95 child entry price) with some of the creepy crawlies, such as giant millipedes, normally kept in cages. The snakes even make an appearance too. Please don't freak when I tell you that children are encouraged to stroke the tarantulas - apparently these spiders are nothing like as frightening as their reputation suggests. Outside the glasshouses, there's an covered outdoors area with bees, hives and information on how honey is made. There's also a circular path around the hives where children can run off any excess energy not used up on stroking the tarantulas. Butterfly World has the advantage that it is not just warm, it's also (snakes and spiders notwithstanding) a soothing experience, thanks to all the plants and butterflies fluttering around. There's much there to learn for older children and adults, while younger children will just enjoy the novelty of being in such a different environment. And everyone, absolutely everyone, will enjoy a little bit of extra warmth in the middle of an Edinburgh winter. Edinburgh Butterfly and Insect World, at Dobbies Garden centre, Melville Nursery, Lasswade, EH18 1AZ, T: 0131 663 4932 Open seven days, all year round, (except Dec 25 and 26 and Jan 1), winter 10am to 5pm and summer 9.30am to 5.30pm.
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